SPECIAL TO RESIDENTS OF THE NYC SHELTER SYSTEM

(Article published in HWW Jan-Feb 2009)

This may not be news to you, but just in case it is...

New York City policy is pushing families through the shelter system at a very fast pace! Right now it is City policy to move homeless families as quickly as possible, regardless of permanent housing options. This is not your case workers choice!

New York City itself runs a very few family shelters. Most homeless families are placed in the more than 150-different shelters and hotels run by private organizations and scattered around the five boroughs. These private organizations have contracts with the city and are required to follow policies made by the city, which are based on laws made by the state.

Current City policy encourages and rewards shelters to move homeless families out within six months, without regard for housing permanency. There's a lot of argument about whether this is possible or even good. But there's no doubt it's had an impact on shelter life.

As you know and your housing worker knows, finding safe and adequate permanent housing is not a quick and easy job. For some families it’s tougher than others to qualify for a housing subsidy. Just one example, imagine how many employers will hire a very pregant woman. Ensuring that you will remain able to keep this housing is even more difficult. Imagine a young mother who landed in shelter because she didn’t have the education or experience to hold a decent job and now she’s thrown back into the community with no more chance to make it then she had before.

At a large family shelter that used to offer housing readiness, parenting, and other life skills workshops, that's all over. The staff is focusing single mindedly on preparing residents to get jobs so they can earn housing subsidies and move out.

“When you consider they have to leave the system in six months” a staffer explains, “we can't send them for three months of training. They have to get a job and bring me back three pay stubs before they qualify for a voucher. So we see them at intake. We help them find Child Care. We send them to our Job Developer. They work on their resume and practice job interviews. We send them to Job Fairs. If we send them for training, it's going to be a short one – no more than three weeks long.”

Regardless of whether you access additional services these changes will have an impact on your shelter life.

If you have any complaints about this policy, don't blame your case workers. Complain to the Mayor. His address is:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg

City Hall

New York, NY 10007

Phone: 311

Or contact:

Office of the Public Advocate

#1 Centre Street, 15th Floor

New York, NY 10007

(212) 669-7200

Ombudsman: (212) 669-7250